THE WORD BECAME FLESH

Monday of 22^nd Week in Ordinary time, 2022

Jer 1:17-19

Ps 119

Mark 6:17-29

The Martyrdom of John the Baptist

Herod feared John...

Dear friends in Christ, fear when misplaced is dangerous. One is expected to fear God but that sort of fear is reverential. In that case, one tries as hard as possible to do what is right by loving God and one’s neighbour. The one who fears God is the one who can approach God with courage. This fear leads one to avoid doing anything that contradicts love. It is the same thing when a child has positive fear for the parents or the teachers. It is also same when a citizen has true fear for those in authority and the nation. It is however dangerous when fear is pointed in the negative direction, such could lead to panic and may also lead to negative actions and effects. Today we celebrate the death of John the Baptist who was beheaded on account of his courage to say the truth. We all need such courage.

In our first reading today (Jeremiah 1:17-19) God told the prophet not to fear those to whom he has been sent, “Gird your loins; arise and say to them everything that I command you. Do not be dismayed by them, lest I dismay you before them.” This also comes with a promise to provide Jeremiah the necessary protection which comes from the presence of God in his life, “They will fight against you; but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you…” The presence of God drives out fear and gives the Spirit which brings courage. Like Jeremiah, we are to fear only God and show respect to persons, but the message of God must be delivered—truth must be told.

Today's gospel (Mark 6:17-29) presents the story of a man of great courage, John the Baptist. His story does not have a happy ending, but his mission was accomplished in a martyrdom, that is born out of Herod's carelessness and cowardice. Mark tells the story on the backdrop of the misplaced fear of Herod the tetrarch, who on hearing of the fame of Jesus, was told by some that it was John the Baptist who had risen from the dead. They thought that accounts for the powers at work in him; others told him, he is Elijah; while others said he is one of the prophets of old. Herod was however convinced, it was John who had risen from the dead. He was wrong. He had killed John to satisfy a little girl who danced so well at his banquet. He had promised her to ask for anything, even to half of his kingdom. The girl's mother on a revenge mission, saw this as a unique opportunity and so demanded for the head of the prophet, to be given immediately on a platter. For John had told Herod, that it was wrong to have married her, being the brothers wife. She got her price, ‘the head of John on a platter,’ she lost her conscience and will live with the trauma for the rest of her life. Herod was a coward who couldn't stand on the truth by rejecting the death-call from Herodias. There are people in our society today, who do what they know to be wrong, to prove that they are courageous. Those who still have a conscience among them have a battle to do for life. How do you treat those who confront you with the truth? Do you silence the prophets in your life by getting rid of them? You may find yourself alone with no sense of direction and so wander into hell for eternity.

Let us pray: O God, make me strong and courageous to proclaim the truth, to live in truth and die in truth. Amen. 

+Remain blessed